THE family of a mother-of- two who was battered to death have appealed for information 11 years on from the brutal killing.

Police have never closed the file on the murder of 35-year-old Sarah Lewin at her house on Bradley Boulevard, Sheepridge, early on January 14, 1994.

No-one has ever been charged with the killing.

The case has also been reviewed twice by other teams of police, to make sure nothing was missed.

Continual advances in technology, such as improved DNA techniques, mean new evidence comes to light to solve old cases.

Det Con Steve Shaw, of Huddersfield CID, said: "With the Sarah Lewin case every line of inquiry was pursued as far as it could possibly go at the time.

"We always hope someone will come forward with that vital extra piece of information which could solve the case."

He added: "The file is never closed on murders.

"Advances in technology are being used all the time to look again at past cases.

"The perpetrators of serious crimes will no doubt be having sleepless nights wondering if they will be arrested."

Sarah's sister, 43-year-old Lorraine Castle, said: "The family has always believed that someone knows who killed her.

"Over the years that person must have talked to others, so someone, somewhere will have the information that can unlock this case."

Ms Castle said this time of year was deeply traumatic for the family. The anniversary of Sarah's death comes just after Christmas and before her birthday, which would have been in February.

Sarah would have been 46 now and her two children, Leanne and Kyle - who were aged nine and four at the time of her death - are now 20 and 15.

Sarah was known to be scared in the weeks before her death - so scared she even put the two children into foster care to keep them from harm's way.

Her family are still anxious to discover why she was so fearful.

Sarah moved to Sheepridge from Bradley about six months before her death.

Both her family and the police are convinced she knew her killer.

She was very security-conscious and would not have opened her door without first checking who was there.

There were no signs of a break-in at the house and police think she must have let the murderer in during the early hours of that fateful morning.

But more than one person could have been involved as Sarah was physically strong and would have fought back.

The murder weapon has never been found, but a heavy, pub- style ashtray was missing from her home and could have caused the 20 wounds that killed her.

A woman in a distinctive pink coat and a man were seen on her doorstep early in the morning and two men were also seen hanging around her home.

A neighbour later reported hearing a scream at about 3am.

Anyone with information should ring Huddersfield detectives on 01484 436582 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.